Sandberg Cited For Big Week

June 04, 1986|By Fred Mitchell, Chicago Tribune.

CINCINNATI — Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg has been named National League Player of the Week. He hit safely in all six games he played in the past week, batting .522 (12-for-23) with 6 runs scored, a triple, 2 homers and 8 runs batted in. He had four multihit games. This is the sixth time in his career he has been Player of the Week.

-- When the Reds lost 11-2 to the Cardinals Sunday, they finished the month of May with a 13-14 record. They were 5-12 in April. Those were the only two months the Reds have been under .500 since Pete Rose became manager in 1984.

-- Center-fielder Eddie Milner said the Reds` poor home record (5-16) is an enigma. ``It`s hard to explain. There`s a long way to go yet, but how long can we keep saying that?`` he said.

-- Veteran infielder Davey Concepcion of the Reds did not start Monday`s game because of a sore left ankle, injured on a play at the plate Sunday against the Cardinals. He pinch-hit in the seventh inning Monday and grounded out, then stayed in the game at third base. He later tripled.

-- Rick Sutcliffe, still struggling with his control, threw 127 pitches in 6 2/3 innings Monday. He walked five, threw two wild pitches and hit a batter. He has now allowed more walks this season than he did all last year. In 1985, he walked 44 in 130 innings. This year, he`s walked 46 in 81 innings. -- The Cubs have not faced an East Division opponent since April 27. That will change soon: They face the Cardinals in a four-game series starting Thursday in St. Louis.

-- Fred Manrique tripled in two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Louisville a 5-4 victory over Iowa in the American Association Monday night at Louisville. Manrique`s hit climaxed a three-run rally in the ninth by the Redbirds.

Louisville reliever Dave Rajsich got the victory, his second in three decisions. Dave Gumpert (1-1) took the loss.